Rec Room Arts Announces Inaugural Residency Festival Line-Up

In July 2017, Rec Room Arts was one of 20 arts organizations in Houston to be awarded a $10,000 FY2018 Project Grant through Houston Arts Alliance and the City of Houston for their inaugural Residency Festival, and the project is now coming to fruition.

The Artist Residency Program provides performance opportunities, along with artistic and business-related mentorship and education for one calendar year. In February and March, each resident will be given two weeks of rehearsal time, culminating in a weekend of performance dates that are open to the public. There will be a talkback after each opening night performance so artists can get a feel for the audience's response and the overall impact of their work. Artists are also provided technical support, marketing and promotional support, and box office/front of house management. Each artist is given a $300 stipend to be put towards his or her project.

Performing artists of all disciplines were encouraged to apply to the 2018 Artist Residency program, and Rec Room Arts received twenty applications in total.

Rec Room Arts announces six finalists, a dynamic group of progressive, multi-disciplinary artists and innovators. Residents include Camron Alexander, Daniela Antelo and Brenda Cruz, Candice D'Meza, Nancy Douthey, Jhon Stronks, and Joe Wozny. The artists are currently creating and developing ideas and concepts for projects that will debut over the course of the Residency Festival, which runs February 2 - March 24.

Joe Wozny kicks off the festival on February 2 & 3 with an experimental solo music set that explores what he calls "the aesthetics of insufferability." The second weekend runs February 16 & 17 and features Daniela Antelo and Brenda Cruz, who are interested in creating a new conversation between film and live performance. Jhon Stronks premieres an improvised jazz /dance floor/disco-inspired piece on February 23 & 24 based on Goddess myths, Pandora's Box, and the three fairy gawdmothers of sleeping beauty Flora, Fauna and Merry Weather. The fourth weekend, March 2 & 3, features Nancy Douthey who is investigating what we think we see, what we imagine we see and what we know we see on stage. March 9 & 10 features Camron Alexander who is presenting a 60 page, modern-day, gender-bent, pop music fueled Midsummer Nights Dream. And our final weekend on March 23 & 24 features Candice D'Meza presenting a piece called "Blessed Thieves," a participatory, multi-disciplinary exhibit that seeks to explore the intersection of vulnerability, identity, and authenticity in the public sphere and in social media.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at https://www.recroomarts.org/residency-fest/.

General admission tickets are $15. Discounted student tickets are available with a valid student ID for $10. A 6-show Festival Pass is available for $75. A VIP Festival Pass w/ priority seating is available for $100. As always, Rec Room Arts Members are free of charge. All shows will start at 8 pm.

The Residency Festival opens February 2 and runs through March 24. Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m on February 2 & 3, February 16 & 17, February 23 & 24, March 2 & 3, March 9 & 10 and March 23 & 24. The Rec Room Bar will be open for happy hour at 6 pm and stay open post-show until 12:00 am. Box office opens at 7:00 pm. House opens at 7:45 pm.

The Board of Directors includes Abby Koenig (President), Ryan Leach (VP), and Chelsea Viles Cutler. Stephanie Wittels Wachs serves as Executive Director. Matt Hune serves as Artistic Director. Tasha Gorel is House Manager and Gregory Starbid is Technical Director.

Rec Room Arts is currently producing all events at Rec Room, a performance space and bar nestled in east downtown Houston. Ticket prices for Rec Room Arts events are $8 - $25, ensuring that the art is accessible to all. All tickets can be purchased via www.recroomarts.org. Rec Room is located at 100 Jackson St. Houston, TX 77002.